2015 Honor Council Student Skills Conference presentation by Joe McAllister & Mrs. Llufrio

1. Missing School Seminar
Joe McAllister & Mrs. Llufrio You forgot a
blue sheet?!

2. Which one(s) need a blue
sheet?
My Qualifications
● Frequently miss Friday
classes for tennis
tournaments
● Missed 2 weeks straight
for mono
● Missed approximately
25% of classes this year
● And have managed to
catch up

3. Absence Type 1: Planned
● Athletic Event, College Visit
● Teachers do NOT have to grant
an extension
● Student is REQUIRED to have a
blue sheet filled out 24 Hours in
advance
○ Not necessary for school-sponsored
athletics
○ Should talk to teachers before this
● Consider taking quizzes in
advance if possible
● Get as much done before you
are gone as you can
No I don’t “have
to give you an
extension”

4. Absence Type 2: Unplanned
● Illness, family emergency, or anything you
could not have foreseen
● Parents must call Mr. Calise
● Don’t expect teachers to get you caught
up; this is still your responsibility
● One extra day per missed absence
EXCEPT on long-term assignments
○ If you are sick Wednesday, the homework due
Thursday is now due Friday
○ (Typically) only applies to missed classes
● Your dean is an asset if necessary

5. How Not to Email Teachers:
Is this kid
serious?
What’s wrong with this email?

6. How To Email Teachers:
● Individual emails are best
● Use appropriate grammar
● Show that you are flexible
and willing to help
● BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE
● Be straightforward with why
you missed class
● Include Mr. Calise/Dean if
appropriate

7. Being Your Own Advocate
● Understand your limits with workloads
● Approach your teachers honestly
○ They really are on your side and want to
help
● Time management: maybe postponing
that episode of American Horror Story
is a good idea
● MEET WITH TEACHERS
○ Show you care about your classes
○ Collaborative time and free periods are
meant for work

8. Strategies:
● Keep up with Canvas
○ English: do the readings and stay on track
■ Teachers want to help; essay extensions are often granted
○ History: do the readings or you will regret it on the next quiz
○ Science and Math: do the homework problems
■ Math builds upon subjects; you will have to do the work
○ Arts: take your work home if possible
■ This area is often flexible
● Reach out to your dean if necessary
● Prioritize classes
○ AP Courses may be more rigid
○ Try a to do list
● Taking advantage of teaches will always backfire
○ Short term vs. Long term thinking

9. (NOT) Taking Advantage of Teachers
● Examples of taking advantage of
teachers
○ Lying about why you missed school
○ Asking for extensions when you have
enough time to do the work
● Think about your reputation
○ Is that the student you want to be?
○ Teachers talk and will figure it out
● Suspensions do not go away
● If you miss more school and really
need these extensions, you will not
get them
It’s not worth it
You will
regret it

10. Questions?

11. Group Activity
Example 1: Student A
knows that she will be
missing this Friday for
her professional figure
skating tournament and
has an essay, a math
quiz, and a lab due on
Friday. What should she
do in the week leading
up to her absence?
Example 2: Student B
woke up today with a
horrible sore throat. After
going to the doctor, he
found out he has Strep
throat. It is likely that he
will miss the next three
days. He has missed so
much work that he isn’t
sure where to begin. As
soon as he feels up to it,
what should he do?